A case-control study of the relationship between gastric cancer and meat consumption in Iran

Background: Despite the descending trends of gastric cancer in many parts of the world, its mortality rate has still remained high globally. Meat, red and processed meat in particular, may induce gastric carcinogenesis through potential mechanisms. However, the role of this dietary aspect in the risk of gastric cancer has not well been investigated so far. Therefore, we designed a study to assess the relation between meat consumption and the risk of gastric cancer in Golestan Province, a high- risk area for gastric malignancies in Iran. Methods: Subjects of this population-based case-control study included 190 histologically confirmed case so fgastric cancer and 647 controls. Meat consumption was evaluated using a 116-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A lifestyle questionnaire also collected data concerning demographic features, anthropometric measures, and other known risk factors of gastric cancer. We estimated crude and adjust edoddsratios(ORs) and 95 confidence intervals (CIs) for the relation between meat intake and gastric cancer. Results: After being adjusted for potential confounders, red meat intake was positively associated with gastric cancer which reached statistical significance (OR=1.87, 95 CI: 1.01-3.47, Ptrend = 0.07). On the other hand, individuals in the highest quartile of white meat consumption had astatistically significant reduced risk of gastric cancer compared to those in the lowest quartile (OR = 0.36, 95 CI: 0.19-0.68, Ptrend = 0.005). Conclusions: We observed a positive association between red meat consumption and the risk of gastric cancer, and a reverse relationship regarding white meat intake and the risk of this malignancy

Protective effect of green tea extract on the deltamethrin-induced toxicity in mice testis: An experimental study

Background: Deltamethrin (DM) is one of the environmental factors that can have destructive effects on the male fertility. Green tea (GT) as a medicinal herb, has antioxidant property. Objective: The present study investigated the protective role of GT extract in improving the harmful effects of DM on the testis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 adult male mice (25–30 gr) were divided in to five groups (n = 7/each). The control group received only normal saline. Sham received 0.2 ml corn oil. Green tea group received only GT of 150 mg/kg. bw; deltamethrin group received the DM at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. bw; GT + DM received both GT and DM. The effect of GT was assessed by measuring oxidative stress markers, sperm parameters, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The results showed that the count and motility of spermatozoa, testosterone, and Malondialdehyde significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and the abnormal spermatozoa increased (p < 0.001) in DM group compared to control group. Moreover, enhanced caspase-3expression and apoptosis were observed in DM-treated mice compared to control group. Histologically, DM with a degenerative effect on testicular tissue reduced the spermatogenesis progenitor cells. The epithelial height and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were also reduced in the DM group. Treatment with GT in the DM-treated mice significantly improved these changes. Conclusion: With these findings, it was concluded that the GT treatment with antioxidant activity and anti-apoptotic property could protect the testicular injury induced by DM

Growth and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue on chitosan scaffolds

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment of cartilage damage for any reason is associated with temporary relief of joint pain. Providing the possibility of differentiating various stem cells into adult tissues can contribute to recovery and treatment of damaged cartilage tissue in skeletal system. In this study, chondrogenic potential of chitosan scaffold, CH-β-GP-HEC, with stem cells derived from human adipose tissue. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, adipose tissue-derived stem cells were separated from abdomen of 15 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. 6-7×105 cells were cultured in plate one-dimensionally and on chitosan scaffold three-dimensionally for 21 days. MTT assay was run to evaluate the toxic effect of scaffold on cell viability. Proliferation and differentiation of cells were studied in the two types of culture after toluidine blue staining. To confirm the formation of cartilage, expression of collagen type II was assessed by immunohistochemistry. FINDING: In MTT assay, the average OD for cells cultured on scaffold is higher than 0. 8 compared with control group, which confirms the nontoxicity of scaffold for culturing stem cells (p>0. 05). Chondrogenic differentiation of cells on scaffold shows more glycosaminoglycan deposition in the extracellular matrix compared with one-layer culture. Moreover, in group with three-dimensional culture system, cells were spherical and the morphology of nucleus was different from one-layer culture. Regarding immunohistochemistry results, increased synthesis was observed in collagen type II as chondrogenesis markers in three-dimensional culture system compared with one-layer culture. CONCLUSION: Results of the study revealed that hydrogel scaffold, CH-β-GP-HEC, with porous structure provides a better environment for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into cartilage tissue. © 2016, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Thermal-oxidative Degradation of PGA, PLLA, and Random Binary PLLA-PGA Copolymers

Dimerization process is essential for producing copolymers. The features of dimerization process like thermal-oxidative degradation should be well known to reach maximum efficiency and a superior reactor design. Also, the degradation mechanism of biodegradable polymers is important during sterilization processes. Thermal-oxidative degradation of PGA, PLLA, and their binary copolymers was investigated under isothermal heating as well as dynamic heating. All the samples were prepared by a polycondensation process and were characterized by TG, DTG, DSC, and HNMR analyses. Activation energy under dynamic heating was obtained by using Friedman plot. A new three stage mechanism, namely random, transition, and specific stages is proposed for dynamic heating degradation. Isothermal heating investigation is conducted under an inert atmosphere, and frequency factor and activation energy were achieved. It was found that the activation energy under isothermal heating is generally higher than that under dynamic heating. It was found that the rate of degradation increases significantly with an increase in temperature. The effects of pressure on the degradation rate were studied in different atmospheres with various oxygen partial pressures. Pressure effect was correlated by a second order polynomial in terms of total pressure. The obtained activation energies under isothermal heating were in good agreement with those reported by others. The complete kinetic scheme suitable for reactor design for the thermal-oxidative degradation of the samples was reported. Finally, the optimal operational conditions for the dimerization process were reported.</span

Efficacy of Topical Liposomal Amphotericin B versus Intralesional Meglumine Antimoniate (Glucantime) in the Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background. Topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is an attractive alternative avoiding toxicities of parenteral therapy while being administered through a simple painless route. Recently liposomal formulations of amphotericin B have been increasingly used in the treatment of several types of leishmaniasis. Aims. The efficacy of a topical liposomal amphotericin B formulation was compared with intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Methods. From 110 patients, the randomly selected 50 received a topical liposomal formulation of amphotericin B into each lesion, 3–7 drops twice daily, according to the lesion's size and for 8 weeks. The other group of 60 patients received intralesional glucantime injection of 1-2 mL once a week for the same period. The clinical responses and side effects of both groups were evaluated weekly during the treatment course. Results. Per-protocol analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.317, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.610 (0.632–4.101)). Moreover, after intention-to-treat analysis, the same results were seen (P = 0.650, 95% CI = 0.1.91 (0.560–2.530)). Serious post treatment side effects were not observed in either group. Conclusions. Topical liposomal amphotericin B has the same efficacy as intralesional glucantime in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cohort profile: The Golestan Cohort Study-a prospective study of oesophageal cancer in Northern Iran

[No abstract available

Opium: An emerging risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma

Opium use has been associated with higher risk of cancers of the esophagus, bladder, larynx, and lung; however, no previous study has examined its association with gastric cancer. There is also little information on the associations between hookah (water pipe) smoking or the chewing of tobacco products and the risk of gastric cancer. In a case-control study in Golestan Province of Iran, we enrolled 309 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma (118 noncardia, 161 cardia and 30 mixed-location adenocarcinomas) and 613 matched controls. Detailed information on long-term use of opium, tobacco products and other covariates were collected using structured and validated lifestyle and food frequency questionnaires. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were obtained using conditional logistic regression models. Opium use was associated with an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, with an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 3.1 (1.9-5.1), and this increased risk was apparent for both anatomic subsites (cardia and noncardia). There was a dose-response effect, and individuals with the highest cumulative opium use had the strongest association (OR: 4.5; 95% CI: 2.3-8.5). We did not find a statistically significant association between the use of any of the tobacco products and risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, overall or by anatomic subsite. We showed, for the first time, an association between opium use and gastric adenocarcinoma. Given that opium use is a traditional practice in many parts of the world, these results are of public health significance. Copyright © 2013 UICC

Heart Disease Is Associated With Anthropometric Indices and Change in Body Size Perception Over the Life Course. The Golestan Cohort Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease and obesity are now becoming leading causes of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Objectives: We investigated the relationship between prevalent heart disease (HD) and current anthropometric indices and body size perception over time from adolescence to adulthood in Iran. Methods: We present a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective study of adults in Golestan Province, Iran. Demographics, cardiac history, and current anthropometric indices-body mass index, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio-were recorded. Body size perception for ages 15 years, 30 years, and at the time of interview was assessed via pictograms. Associations of these factors and temporal change in perceived body size with HD were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Complete data were available for 50,044 participants; 6.1% of which reported having HD. Higher body mass index, waist circumference, and waist to hip ratio were associated with HD (p < 0.001). Men had a U-shaped relationship between HD and body size perception at younger ages. For change in body size perception, men and women demonstrated a U-shaped relationship with prevalent HD from adolescence to early adulthood, but a J-shaped pattern from early to late adulthood. Conclusions: HD was associated with anthropometric indices and change in body size perception over time for men and women in Iran. Due to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in low- and middle-income countries, interventions focused on decreasing the cumulative burden of risk factors throughout the life course may be an important component of cardiovascular risk reduction. © 2015 World Heart Federation (Geneva)

Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Among Never Smokers in Golestan Province, Iran, an Area of High Incidence of Esophageal Cancer – a Cross-Sectional Study with Repeated Measurement of Urinary 1-OHPG in Two Seasons

Studies have suggested a possible role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the etiology of esophageal cancer in Golestan Province, Iran, where incidence of this cancer is very high. In order to investigate the patterns of non-smoking related exposure to PAHs in Golestan, we conducted a cross-sectional study collecting questionnaire data, genotyping polymorphisms related to PAH metabolism, and measuring levels of 1-hydroxypyrene glucuronide (1-OHPG), a PAH metabolite, in urine samples collected in two seasons from the same group of 111 randomly selected never-smoking women. Beta-coefficients for correlations between 1-OHPG as dependent variable and other variables were calculated using linear regression models. The creatinine-adjusted 1-OHPG levels in both winter and summer samples were approximately 110 μmol/molCr (P for seasonal difference = 0.40). In winter, red meat intake (β = 0.208; P = 0.03), processed meat intake (β = 0.218; P = 0.02), and GSTT1-02 polymorphism (“null” genotype: β = 0.228; P = 0.02) showed associations with 1-OHPG levels, while CYP1B1-07 polymorphism (GG versus AA + GA genotypes: β = –0.256; P = 0.008) showed an inverse association. In summer, making bread at home (> weekly versus never: β = 0.203; P = 0.04), second-hand smoke (exposure to ≥3 cigarettes versus no exposure: β = 0.254; P = 0.01), and GSTM1-02 “null” genotype (β = 0.198; P = 0.04) showed associations with 1-OHPG levels, but GSTP1-02 polymorphism (CT + TT versus CC: β = –0.218; P = 0.03) showed an inverse association. This study confirms high exposure of the general population in Golestan to PAHs and suggests that certain foods, cooking methods, and genetic polymorphisms increase exposure to PAHs

Validity and reliability of a new food frequency questionnaire compared to 24h recalls and biochemical measurements: Pilot phase of Golestan cohort study of esophageal cancer

Background: A pilot study was carried out to evaluate validity and reproducibility of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which was designed to be used in a prospective cohort study in a population at high risk for esophageal cancer in northern Iran. Methods: The FFQ was administered four times to 131 subjects, aged 35-65 years, of both sexes. Twelve 24-h dietary recalls for two consecutive days were administered monthly during 1 year and used as a reference method. The excretion of nitrogen was measured on four 24-h urine samples, and plasma levels of β-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and α-tocopherol was measured from two time points. Relative validity of FFQ and 24-h diet recall was assessed by comparing nutrient intake derived from both methods with the urinary nitrogen and plasma levels of β-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and α-tocopherol. Results: Correlation coefficients comparing energy and nutrients intake based on the mean of the four FFQ and the mean of twelve 24-h diet recalls were 0.75 for total energy, 0.75 for carbohydrates, 0.76 for proteins and 0.65 for fat. Correlation coefficients between the FFQ-based intake and serum levels of β-carotene, retinol, vitamin C and vitamin E/α-tocopherol were 0.37, 0.32, 0.35 and 0.06, respectively. Correlation coefficients between urinary nitrogen and FFQ-based protein intake ranged from 0.23 to 0.35. Intraclass correlation coefficients used to measure reproducibility of FFQ ranged from 0.66 to 0.89. Conclusion: We found that the FFQ provides valid and reliable measurements of habitual intake for energy and most of the nutrients studied. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group. All rights reserved